Katniss Everdeen

I can't seem to get this girl out of my head. I don't know what it is about her. Actually, I do... she is an underdog, an unsung hero, a survivor. I plan on reading all three books, but I have to admit, I need a break between. The story is just so intense, so real, so desperate. It really sticks with you, and it's because of Katniss Everdeen.

Here is a girl that has accepted her life. She has trust issues, but who doesn't. She knows how to love. She loves her little sister so much, she take her place in a game that would surely end the little girls life -- a game that should've ended hers, but it didn't. She survived, and she didn't have to change anything about herself to do so. She survived, because she was herself.

Honestly, this story made me think about what I would do if I were in her place. Honestly, I don't know if I would have survived the first day. I've never been an outdoorsy kind of person. Let me put it this way, when I was a baby my mother could put me on a tea-towel in the middle of the yard and not worry about me moving away from it, because I didn't like the feel of the grass. Though, I do like the feel of soft, cool, spongy grass now, I just don't know if I could rough-it like Katniss did, like they all did.

One think I would like to change though, was her misperception of Peeta Mellack, but then she wouldn't have a flaw, and everyone needs to have their flaws. I guess...

But that does bring me to Peeta, who was even more an underdog than Katniss, simply because no one thought he'd make, not even his mother. Not only did he survive, but he spent all of his time making sure Katniss survived. She thought it was just part of the game, but it wasn't for him... unreciprocated love is so hard to read, but something just about every person can identify with. I just hope Katniss makes the right decisions and Peeta isn't destroyed in the process. Don't tell me how it ends, I have to read it for myself...

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Here are five principles of writing that I have been working on and look for when reading a new book.

1. Point of View - Is in the view of Katniss Everdeen, a sixteen year old girl from the 12^th district of the land known as Panem (formerly known as North America). The 12^th district is what was once known as the Appalachian mountains. She is a fighter and an underdog, two of my most favorite qualities, especially in a female character. She’s very intelligent, which is taken for granted because of where she comes from, the coal-mining district. I found her thought process and problem solving a little too articulate. Even if I was as good a hunter as she is, I‘m not sure I‘d be able to consistently break down each situation the way she does and see it for what it is and not what it appears to be. The fact that there is one aspect that completely alludes her--the affection of her fellow “Tribute” Peeta Mellark, balances that perfection.

2. Show vs. Tell -- Let me just say one thing. If you are needing a good example of what it is to SHOW instead of TELL. THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU! I usually try to give a book at least the first 3 chapters before giving up. If I can’t relate to the story by then, I don’t finish it. Well… Suzanne Collins did it. She had me hooked from the first page. I wanted to know what happened next with every turn of the page. I wanted to know more about the mangy cat and the goat cheese, the love for a young sister and the struggle for trust with a mother, the electric fence and the hidden bow and arrow. Suzanne made parsnips sound good to eat… and I don’t even like parsnips. I was on the edge of my seat through the entire book, and almost fell off at how it ended.

3. Bookisms -- I don’t think I’m going to find many of these in published books, and if there were any in this one, it was so freakingly well written I didn’t pick up on a one of them. That’s all I have to say about that.

4. Passive Voice -- I think I covered this already. THERE WAS NOTHING PASSIVE ABOUT THIS BOOK.

5. Life Lessons -- Be true to yourself and always aware of your surroundings. Persecution will be found in any society. There is nothing more satisfying than to see someone stand for liberty in the face of oppression and win in spite of the establishment.

It was also a refreshing end to the traditional Greek tragedy… you know where the hero is mortally wounded, but lives long enough to defeat the evil overlord… although, I would have understood if it had been ended that way, but then again there wouldn’t be a 2^nd or 3^rd book if it had… or would there…

Let me put it this way, when I finished this book, I was left wondering what I would do or how I would handle it, if I had been thrown into the middle of these Hunger Games. I would like to think I’d survive… better yet, I’d like to think I would find a way to dig the transponder thing out of my arm and make a run for it. Not very realistic, but the desire for freedom rarely is.

On a scale of 1 to 10, this book is a 10 and 2 thumbs up.

Words of Wisdom

“What is not started today is never finished tomorrow.” 

Words of wisdom can be annoying, but only because they are true. Those of us who are irritated are so only because we don’t live by them. If they were practiced, there would be exasperation.

Most days a wise word would bring a scowl to my face, however not today. Instead of just another reminder of all the things I don’t have finished, and there are quite a few, it is an opportunity to change. If I start today, I have a very good chance of being finished tomorrow. Alternately, it will still be sitting there undone if I do nothing.

I can add one of my favorite quotes as well.

“You can only eat an elephant one bite at a time.” 

I prefer to think of this as a large piece of chocolate molded into the shape of an elephant, instead of the actual animal, because I like elephants and would never eat them… but I digress…

While it is true to take a large project one step at a time in order not to be weighed down, it is even more daunting if you never take that first step because of the fear of being so. Thus I come full circle to the quote that began this journey into self-reflection.

So, if you are putting off until tomorrow what you could be doing today…STOP IT. Yes this is a rebuke to myself as well, but it is a healthy reprimand, which ironically most of them are. If you are off the track, get back on no matter where you are. Give yourself a do-over or a start-again.

 The only real failure is the lack of trying.

Now what?

Good question.

Having a hard time focusing. So many shining things to look at, projects to do, websites to surf. Even now, I'm using blogging as a diversion. I can call it writing, but is it the writing I'm supposed to be doing???? Hmmmmm????

Of course not.

Well, I'm going to post this, then I'm going to try to do a little of 3 things:

1)  Proofread more of Truthseekers.

2) Edit a story my son Noah has asked me to look at.

3) Begin a rough draft of The Queen and the Fiddler.

As for Truthseekers, I am literally on the last rewrite/proofread. So what's the problem? Nothing. I just need to kick it in gear and gitterdone. I need to embrace my writer's block. Maybe choking it will be more effective...

Noah's story... I've been wanting to "tweak" his story ever since he wrote it. Now that he's asked me too, I'm nervous, because I don't want to mess if it up if you know what I mean... oh well, I just need to get over myself and do it.



As for the last of my list... I have had this idea bouncing around in my head for months. I was telling a friend how I don't have a good idea, because I haven't been able to outline, but then I ended up telling her the entire story in one sitting. I thought, huh, maybe I do have something there. So, I just have to do it!!!! Here is my new inspiration. I have it saved as my desktop so I see it every time my computer comes on. I think this is the perfect ending to this blog.





On the road again

.
I have been waiting to get on the road again. The road to writing. Guess what? I found it!!! I can't even begin to explain what a relief it is.

I went to my 4th ever writer's conference this weekend. Since I've only been "seriously" writing since 2006, I'm thinking that's a pretty good record (for me anyway). I spent the week before trying to talk myself out of it. I was on the verge of giving up, throwing in the towel, accepting the fact that I was just an everyday, ordinary person, with a 9 to 5 job, husband, kids, mortgage, and too many bills to even worry about. I was close to accepting that as my life. I have knitting and my girls in my Wednesday night class, do I really need the stress of writing too?

The only thing that kept me from NOT cancelling the conference was the fact that my aunt and uncle paid for it as a Christmas present this year. I couldn't waste their money.

I AM SO GLAD I GOT OVER MYSELF AND WENT.

It was the most fulfilling experience I've had in a long time. I fill recharged, rejuvenated, refocused, ready to go! I've written something three days in a row! That's the most I've done at one time this whole year. I even tried to procrastinate and surf the net tonight. I read some of the most stupidest news stories. That's right, I said stupidest. I finally listened to that little voice in my head that told me to get off the Internet and open up my manuscript. I ended up fixing the prologue and working through chapter 14.

I'm on the road again, and I'm not going to think about where it takes me. I'm just going to enjoy the ride. Something I should have been doing this whole time.

The Future of Us, book review

Author: Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

Genre: YA (Contemporary fiction)

Year: 2011

Book or Audio: Audio

First impression: Very good

Writing style: Pleasing, easy to follow

Pros: The Characters are flawed and believable. It is easy to follow both POV’s. The protagonists are relatable and somewhat mature for age, but still being teenagers.

Cons: I do not have any.

Comments:

I always cringe when listening to coming-of-age stories. Some writers try too hard. Dialogue is forced and cliché-ish, not genuine, and there’s more cussing and sexual humor than I find necessary. It’s a very real part of growing up, but I didn’t hang out with kids like that. I didn’t like it then, and I don’t enjoy reading it now. It’s a big turn off.

I am pleasantly surprised by this book. It is refreshing and enjoyable. I was in my twenties when the 90’s hit, but I enjoy all of the 90’s references. The dialogue and thought processes are true to the time frame. The cussing and sexual content comes in about halfway through, but it is done in such a way that isn’t off-putting. Emma’s POV reminds me of the way I would share my own experiences with a friend. Josh is a typical guy, but it’s nice to see him express his feelings. There’s an interesting twist where Emma starts out cautious, then throws everything out the window compared to Josh going with the flow, then slowing down and deliberating as he discovers things.

Like all good time-travel stories there is a lesson to be learned. The future is what you make it. If you are unhappy, no amount of changing will fix it if you choose to be unhappy. A good life isn’t about who you marry or how many children you have or what job you get or where you live. It’s about living life now.

Would I recommend this book: Most definitely.

My Walter Mitty

To be serious about writing, you have to write. So here I am writing. How exciting is that? Not very. I feel very much like the Danny Kaye character in the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. I felt a connection to that character when I saw it as a child, and even more so now as an almost middle-aged adult.

I've never been a very spontaneous person. I'm a homebody and a couch potato. I would rather spend my Saturdays watching movies all day long, maybe crocheting, maybe just getting lost in someone else's world.

I have all of these ideas in my head, but to make myself sit in front of the computer and type them out, I forget how to think. I forget how to write. I draw a blank. I find something else to do. Facebook, Ravelry (knitter's version of facebook), library (audio books), bank statements, yahoo news, all my emails, let's see what else... oh yes, SOLITAIRE.

But back to Walter Mitty. I'm not as timid (anymore), but I do feel as stuck. So what do I do with my Walter Mitty? Hmmm... not sure. Truthseekers is finished, just need to complete the last proofread. So why am I dawdling? Good question. I just am.

I like the idea of Walter Mitty, maybe he can be my muse. I'm not sure if there will be any ta-pocka-to-pocka-to-pocka (or something like that), but I'm already intrigued by the idea. Hmmm... I wonder what I can do...